S.A. Sports Hall of Fame profile: Stan Albeck

Updated 9:34 pm, Thursday, January 30, 2014

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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San Antonio Spurs coach Stan Albeck in 1983.

San Antonio Spurs coach Stan Albeck in 1983.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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1980-1983, Stan Albeck: 153 wins-93 losses; After some speculation, Albeck left the Spurs to become head coach of New Jersey Nets for 1983-84 season. At the time, his wife, Phyllis told the San Antonio Light, "I don't know if [New Jersey's] a lock, but I know what is a lock — Stan won't be here next year." (San Antonio Express-News file photo) less

1980-1983, Stan Albeck: 153 wins-93 losses; After some speculation, Albeck left the Spurs to become head coach of New Jersey Nets for 1983-84 season. At the time, his wife, Phyllis told the San Antonio Light, ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News File Photo

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Gloria Drash (gala exec dir), Stan Albeck (honoree) and Mike Mitchell (founder NISERR, Inc) were at the Club at Sonterra on 6/17/2007 for the National Institute of Sobriety Education, Rehabilitation and Recovery gala.

Gloria Drash (gala exec dir), Stan Albeck (honoree) and Mike Mitchell (founder NISERR, Inc) were at the Club at Sonterra on 6/17/2007 for the National Institute of Sobriety Education, Rehabilitation and

New members and representatives of members of the 2014 San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame are seated Monday October 7, 2013 at the Dominion Country Club. Seated are: (left to right) Joe Straus, Jr. and David Straus (representing their late father Joe Straus Sr.), Lee Willis and Mike Shull (representing the 2009 McAllister Park Little League All Stars, and John Albeck (representing his father Stan Albeck. Former San Antonio Spur Artis Gilmore (not present) was also named and made a statement over the phone. less

New members and representatives of members of the 2014 San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame are seated Monday October 7, 2013 at the Dominion Country Club. Seated are: (left to right) Joe Straus, Jr. and David ... more

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Stan Albeck, working the sidelines at HemisFair Arena, circa 1983, went 153-93 in three seasons as Spurs head coach.

Stan Albeck, working the sidelines at HemisFair Arena, circa 1983, went 153-93 in three seasons as Spurs head coach.

The Albeck-coached Spurs rebuilt the roster with two major trades, acquiring forward Mike Mitchell from Cleveland in December 1981 and 7-foot-2 Artis Gilmore from Chicago in July 1982.

With a versatile lineup that could run the fast break or play in the half court, Albeck's team won 53 games in 1982-83. In April '83, the Spurs won a rare doubleheader at HemisFair Arena, knocking off the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers twice in one night.

The first victory came off a replay of the final three seconds from a game that was successfully protested earlier in the season. Albeck went 2-0 that night against a team that included all-time greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.

The Lakers exacted revenge in the Western Conference finals, ousting the Spurs in six games of the best-of-7 series.

“As long as the weather is not rainy with a cold, north wind, I attend them all.” —
Stan Albeck, talking about his devotion to attending Spurs home games

“He came home talking about ... the guy right behind their bench who kept blowing some sort of plastic horn in their ears.” —
Phyllis Albeck, Stan's wife, reflecting on Conquistadors-Spurs in 1973, the first ABA game contested at HemisFair Arena

“Stan was definitely one of my favorites. He was very innovative, a great coach. Stan let us play.” —
George Gervin, former Spurs guard who won the '81-82 NBA scoring title under Albeck